Powys Conference – The importance of Play and ‘Making the best use of the space that we’ve got’

19 September 2018

9.30-1.00

The Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells

Special Keynote speaker—Tim Gill, Rethinking Childhood

Dear colleague,

I am pleased to invite you to a multi-agency seminar which provides a unique opportunity for council officers, health colleagues, third sector organisations and a range of other partners to think beyond their immediate services with regards to children’s play and to ‘make the best use of the space that we’ve got’ -  maximising existing resources through collaborative thinking, planning and working.

We are very pleased that the well-respected researcher and author, Tim Gill, will be joining us to discuss play in Powys.  You should have already received a diary marker for this event.

All children have the right to play as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is recognised both by the UK Government, and by the Welsh Government.  Section 11 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 places a statutory duty on all local authorities to assess and secure sufficient play opportunities for children. 

This is a task that involves working together to consider the many aspects of community life that affect play opportunities. These include use of the environment; traffic and transport; play and leisure provision, and parental and community involvement with play.

Wales – A Play Friendly Country, statutory guidance to local authorities, sets out a wide range of Matters across several policy areas that need to be taken into account:

o   Matter A: Population

o   Matter B: Providing for diverse needs

o   Matter C: Space available for children to play

o   Matter D: Supervised provision

o   Matter E: Charges for play provision

o   Matter F: Access to space/provision [this includes travel access, as well as information and publicity]

o   Matter G: Securing & Developing the Play Workforce

o   Matter H: Community engagement and participation

o   Matter I: Play within all relevant policy and implementation agendas

[Education/schools, Town and Country Planning, Traffic and transport, Health and Wellbeing, Child Poverty, Early years/Childcare and Family policy and initiatives, Community Development, Inter-generational policy and initiatives,

Community Safety, Health and Safety]

Play Sufficiency Assessments were submitted to Welsh Government in March 2013 and March 2016.  The next is due at the end of March 2019.   Annual action plans and progress reports are also submitted to Welsh Government as part of the duties. 

This seminar provides colleagues with an update on progress regarding Powys County Council’s compliance with Play Sufficiency Duties.  It will discuss plans for the gathering of information and submission of the 2019 Play Sufficiency Assessment and provide colleagues with the opportunity to discuss actions they are taking and opportunities in their policy areas to progress play sufficiency.

To book on please send an email to play.in.powys@powys.gov.uk advising of any special needs or dietary requirements.

I hope you are able to join us and help shape the future of Play in Powys.

Cllr Rachel Powell,

Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder for Young People & Culture

This event is free of charge, however, we would appreciate it if you could be mindful of the use of public monies and should you be unable to attend for any reason, advise us as early as possible. Nonattendance, may result in an administrative fee.